2007 Cold Case: Woman’s Remains Identified; Friend Arrested for Concealing Death and Fraud Case in Troup County

On the morning of December 6, 2007, deputies from the Troup County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to the corner of Whitfield Road and Stitcher Road, near Whitfield, Georgia, in response to reports of a suspicious black bag that appeared to be burning. Upon arrival, deputies discovered what appeared to be human remains that had been dumped at the location, with a bag that was still smoldering. The remains were partial, with the hands, feet, and head missing.

In early 2023, after a review of cold cases, this case was revisited, and DNA samples were sent to Innovative Forensic Investigations in Emporia, Virginia, and Gene by Gene Laboratories in Houston, Texas, for analysis and genetic genealogy forensics. The results were then forwarded to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) crime lab for comparison. On December 13, 2023, the Troup County Sheriff’s Office received confirmation of a positive DNA match. The remains were identified as those of Nicole Alston, whose last known residence was in Manhattan, New York. She was 24 years old at the time of her disappearance.

Further investigation revealed that Nicole Alston had left New York with her friend, Angel Marie Thompson, to live in Atlanta. At that time, Thompson was wanted in New York for theft and identity fraud. Alston’s family last heard from her around Thanksgiving of 2007.

In August 2024, Investigator Clay Bryant discovered that following the discovery of Nicole Alston’s remains, Angel Thompson had begun using Alston’s identity. Thompson collected Alston’s Social Security Income (SSI) benefits, food stamp allotment, and acquired Section 8 housing, all under Alston’s name, for a period of eight years. In 2015, the Social Security Administration contacted Alston (Thompson) to come in to requalify for benefits, at which time Thompson reassumed her original identity. The estimated value of the fraudulent activity is approximately $200,000, and additional agencies in Georgia are investigating the matter.

Angel Marie Thompson was arrested on August 19, 2024, and charged with concealing the death of Nicole Alston. The investigation into who killed Alston is ongoing.